Refrigerator with air distribution management

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an inner liner disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a first shelf disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, the first shelf having a back end and an opposite front end, the first shelf positioned to allow air flow between the back end and the inner liner, and a plurality of shelves disposed within the cabinet, each of the shelves having a back end and an opposite front end, each of the shelves is positioned to allow air flow between the back end of each of the shelves and the inner liner. The refrigerator further includes a conduit providing supply air, a baffle positioned above the first shelf and fluidly connected to the conduit, and an elongated air outlet positioned above the baffle and fluidly connected to the conduit for providing a first cold air stream from the supply air proximate a ceiling of the refrigerator cabinet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to refrigerators. More particularly, the present invention relates to air distribution management of refrigerators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous challenges related to managing air flow in refrigerators in order to provide for effective and energy efficient cooling. In a typical design air is supplied to a refrigeration compartment through centralized air streams to a first shelf area. Such a design results in very low first (top) shelf temperatures while bottom shelf temperatures are relatively high in comparison. Thus, there are problems with providing even air flow distribution. Moreover such problems can adversely affect energy efficiency of the refrigerator. What is needed is improved air distribution management within a refrigerator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide for improved air distribution management within a refrigerator.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide more even air distribution to shelves within a refrigerator.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide for supplying cold air to a refrigeration compartment in a manner that keeps the top shelf at a temperature above freezing.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide for improved air distribution management within a refrigeration so that a reduced air supply may be used.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need exhibit each and every object, feature, or advantage as different embodiments may exhibit different objects, features, or advantages. Moreover, the present invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features, or advantages.

According to one possible embodiment, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an inner liner disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a first shelf disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, the first shelf having a back end and an opposite front end, the first shelf positioned to allow air flow between the back end of the first shelf and the inner liner, and a plurality of shelves disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, each of the plurality of shelves having a back end and an opposite front end, each of the plurality of shelves positioned to allow air flow between the back end of each of the plurality of shelves and the inner liner. The refrigerator further includes a conduit providing supply air, a baffle positioned above the first shelf and fluidly connected to the conduit, and an elongated air outlet positioned above the baffle and fluidly connected to the conduit for providing a first cold air stream from the supply air proximate a ceiling of the refrigerator cabinet. The baffle reflects a second cold air stream from the supply air to the plurality of shelves below the first shelf in a cascading manner to assist in distributing the second cold air stream between the plurality of shelves below the first shelf.

According to another possible embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, an inner liner disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, and a plurality of shelves disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, each of the plurality of shelves having a back end and an opposite front end, each of the plurality of shelves positioned to allow air flow between the back end of each of the plurality of shelves and the inner liner. The refrigerator further includes an elongated horizontal air outlet positioned above the plurality of shelves for providing a first cold air stream from supply air proximate a ceiling of the refrigerator cabinet. The refrigerator further includes a baffle positioned above the plurality of shelves and below the elongated horizontal air outlet, the baffle configured to reflect a second cold air stream to shelves within the plurality of shelves that are below a topmost shelf within the plurality of shelves in a cascading manner to assist in distributing the second cold air stream.

According to another possible embodiment of the present invention, a method of cooling a refrigerator is provided. The method includes providing the refrigerator, the refrigerator having a refrigerator cabinet, an inner liner disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a plurality of shelves disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, each of the plurality of shelves having a back end and an opposite front end, each of the plurality of shelves positioned to allow air flow between the back end of each of the plurality of shelves and the inner liner, an elongated horizontal air outlet positioned above the plurality of shelves, and a baffle positioned above the plurality of shelves and below the elongated horizontal air outlet. The method further includes directing a first cold air stream through the elongated horizontal air outlet generally towards a ceiling of the refrigerator cabinet, and directing a second cold air stream to shelves within the plurality of shelves below a topmost shelf within the plurality of shelves in a cascading manner to thereby assist in distributing the second cold air stream.

According to another possible embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet and a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet. The refrigerator further includes an air distribution unit positioned proximate a ceiling of the refrigerator compartment. A conduit provides supply air to the air distribution unit. The air distribution unit includes a baffle fluidly connected to the conduit. The air distribution unit further includes an elongated air outlet or port positioned above the baffle and fluidly connected to the conduit for providing a first cold air stream from the supply air proximate a ceiling of the refrigerator compartment. The baffle reflects a second cold air stream from the supply air downwardly along a side off the refrigerator compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an interior portion of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the interior portion of the refrigerator compartment.

FIG. 4 illustrates cold air streams being distributed by an air distribution assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “approximately” is defined as at least close to a given value (e.g. within 10 percent of). As used herein, the term “about” is defined as at least close to a given value (e.g. within 10 percent of).

The present invention is described herein in the context of one or more embodiments. The present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown as one skilled in the art would appreciate that the air distribution described may apply to other configurations of refrigerators.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a refrigerator 10. The refrigerator 10 has a refrigerator cabinet 12. A freezer door 14 provides access to a freezer compartment 22 disposed within the refrigerator cabinet 12. A refrigerator door 16 provides access to a refrigerator compartment 20 disposed within the refrigerator cabinet 12. A water and ice dispenser 18 is shown on the freezer door 18.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an interior portion of the refrigerator compartment 20 of the refrigerator 10. An inner liner 30 is shown which lines the refrigerator compartment 20. Also disposed within refrigerator compartment 20 are a plurality of shelves which may include a first shelf or top shelf 32, a second shelf 34 and a third shelf or bottom shelf 36. It is contemplated that more or fewer shelves may be used as may be appropriate in a particular refrigerator design. Also shown in FIG. 2 are drawer supports 58. Each of the shelves 32, 34, 36, have a front end facing the door and an opposite back end at the back of the refrigerator compartment 20. For example, the first shelf 32 has a front end 31 and an opposite back end 33. The second shelf 34 has a front end 35 and an opposite back end 37. The third shelf 36 has a front end 39 and an opposite back end 41. Note that as shown there are gaps 40 between the back end of each of the shelves 32, 34, 36, and the inner liner 30. The presence of the gaps 40 allows for air flow as will be explained in greater detail.

An air distribution assembly 50 is shown positioned above the top shelf 32 and near the ceiling 60 of the inner liner 30. A conduit 62 provides supply air to the air distribution assembly 50. The air distribution assembly 50 has a baffle 54 and an elongated air outlet 52 which is fluidly connected to the conduit 62. The elongated air outlet 52 extends horizontally in order to provide a first cold air stream generally directed along or towards the ceiling 60 of the inner liner 30 of the refrigerator cabinet. The air stream is preferably wide and high near the ceiling and coats the air to collect and recirculate air in order to improve internal condensation.

The baffle 54 is also fluidly connected to the conduit 62 and reflects a second cold air stream from the supply air to the plurality of shelves below the first shelf 32 in a cascading manner to assist in distributing the second cold air stream between the shelves. This arrangement encourages even distribution of the air on all shelves below the first shelf 32 while keeping the temperature of the first shelf 32 above freezing.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the interior portion of the refrigerator compartment. As previously described with respect to FIG. 2 note that the elongated air outlet 52 is close to the ceiling 60 of the inner liner 30 and above the baffle 54.

FIG. 4 illustrates the air distribution assembly 50. A conduit 62 provides supply air into the air distribution assembly 50. The baffle 54 assists in directing air in a manner that allows multiple streams of air to be directed in different directions and to different locations within a refrigerator compartment. FIG. 4 shows the first cold air stream 70 directed from the elongated air outlet 52 and the second cold air stream 72 which is directed by the baffle 54 downwardly through an outlet 74. Thus, the air distribution assembly 50 includes a plurality of different ports or outlets 52, 74 for directing separate streams of air in different directions and towards different locations. Thus, for example a first stream of air 70 from an outlet 52 may be directed downwardly along a back of the refrigerator compartment and a second stream of air 72 from outlet 74 may be directed generally horizontally along a ceiling of the refrigerator compartment.

In operation, the distribution of the air by the baffle 54 and the elongated air outlet 52 maintain the first shelf at an above freezing temperature. According to one example, the first cold air stream, the stream from the elongated air outlet, provides approximately 20 percent of the air supply and the second cold air stream provides approximately 80 percent of the air supply. Thus, the second cold air stream may about four times larger than the first cold air stream as a percentage of total air supply. The rate of the supply air may vary, but one rate which may be used is a rate of about 5 cubic feet per minute. Such a rate may be less than a rate otherwise needed for the same space without the design of the present invention. For example a rate of about 5 cubic feet per minute may be used instead of a rate of about 8 cubic feet per minute. Thus, the present invention may increase energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

To test the design thermocouples were placed on different shelves including a first shelf (top), second shelf, third shelf, and fourth shelf (bottom) and average temperatures of each shelf were measured. The results of the tests established that the design maintained the first shelf at a temperature above freezing and less variation in average temperatures was encountered than with earlier designs which did not distribute the air in the same manner. Thus, the present invention permits improved performance in distribution of air between all of the shelves in a more even manner. In addition, where there is improved performance in distribution of air between all of the shelves in a more even manner, improved energy efficiency may be achieved in various ways. For example, less cold air is needed to maintain the bottommost shelf at a desired temperature.

Thus, the air distribution assembly provides for various advantages. These include: providing improved air distribution between shelves and thus a correspondingly more even temperature distribution between shelves, providing improved air distribution at the ceiling of the refrigeration compartment and thus a more even temperature distribution within the refrigerator, and improved energy efficiency.

It should be understood that the present structures and methods are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they are to cover numerous modifications, equivalents, options, and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator cabinet; an inner liner disposed within the refrigerator cabinet; a first shelf disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, the first shelf having a back end and an opposite front end, the first shelf positioned to allow air flow between the back end of the first shelf and the inner liner; a plurality of shelves disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, each of the plurality of shelves having a back end and an opposite front end, each of the plurality of shelves positioned to allow air flow between the back end of each of the plurality of shelves and the inner liner; a conduit providing supply air; a baffle positioned above the first shelf and fluidly connected to the conduit; an elongated air outlet positioned above the baffle and fluidly connected to the conduit for providing a first cold air stream from the supply air proximate a ceiling of the refrigerator cabinet; wherein the baffle reflects a second cold air stream from the supply air to the plurality of shelves below the first shelf in a cascading manner to assist in distributing the second cold air stream between the plurality of shelves below the first shelf.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein distribution of air by the baffle and the elongated air outlet maintain the first shelf at an above freezing temperature.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the first cold air stream comprises approximately 20 percent of the air supply.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the second cold air stream comprises approximately 80 percent of the air supply.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the supply air is provided at a rate of about 5 cubic feet per minute.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the second cold air stream being about four times larger than the first cold air stream as a percentage of total air supply.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the first shelf is a top shelf.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of shelves comprises a second shelf and a third shelf.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 8 wherein the plurality of shelves further comprises a bottom shelf.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the elongated air outlet is elongated in a horizontal direction.
 11. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator cabinet; an inner liner disposed within the refrigerator cabinet; a plurality of shelves disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, each of the plurality of shelves having a back end and an opposite front end, each of the plurality of shelves positioned to allow air flow between the back end of each of the plurality of shelves and the inner liner; an elongated horizontal air outlet positioned above the plurality of shelves for providing a first cold air stream from supply air proximate a ceiling of the refrigerator cabinet; a baffle positioned above the plurality of shelves and below the elongated horizontal air outlet, the baffle configured to reflect a second cold air stream to shelves within the plurality of shelves that are below a topmost shelf within the plurality of shelves in a cascading manner to assist in distributing the second cold air stream.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 11 wherein distribution of air by the baffle and the elongated horizontal air outlet maintain the topmost shelf at an above freezing temperature.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 11 wherein the first cold air stream comprises approximately 20 percent of the air supply.
 14. The refrigerator of claim 11 wherein the second cold air stream comprises approximately 80 percent of the air supply.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 11 wherein supply air for the first cold air stream and the second cold air stream is provided at a rate of about 5 cubic feet per minute.
 16. The refrigerator of claim 16 wherein the second cold air stream being about four times larger than the first cold air stream as a percentage of total air supply.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 11 wherein the plurality of shelves further comprises a second shelf and a third shelf.
 18. A method of cooling a refrigerator, the method comprising: providing the refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising (a) a refrigerator cabinet, (b) an inner liner disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, (c) a plurality of shelves disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, each of the plurality of shelves having a back end and an opposite front end, each of the plurality of shelves positioned to allow air flow between the back end of each of the plurality of shelves and the inner liner, (d) an elongated horizontal air outlet positioned above the plurality of shelves (e) a baffle positioned above the plurality of shelves and below the elongated horizontal air outlet; directing a first cold air stream through the elongated horizontal air outlet generally towards a ceiling of the refrigerator cabinet; directing a second cold air stream to shelves within the plurality of shelves below a topmost shelf within the plurality of shelves in a cascading manner to thereby assist in distributing the second cold air stream. 